Still alot of uncertainty in play in the global economy. I talked to the president of my bank last week and credit applications are down 65% (consumer) and savings are up 40% (which is good over the long haul) I have a bunch of Mercedes Benz parts that I am trying to blow out from my restoration project, and no takers for months. High-end components and rims 70% off with no takers. Could have sold the stuff for a profit in 2006.

Feb 28, 2010

Boba Mike

Re: Difficult times for selling....

Yeh I sold 1 in 5 items recently, re listed the remaining 4 and didn't sell 'em, total of 2 weeks on the bay even reduced the prices 20%.
I think it's just tough all over, plenty to sell, not many buyers and those buyers are getting bargains.
I don't think things will change in the short term, best of luck guys.

Mar 2, 2010

missing

Re: Difficult times for selling....

I know it's tough, guys. I'm waiting for corporate approval for an event at Celebration 5 that will enable me to purchase an entire ESB setup. My hopes are to get it ALL from these boards. I'll definitely post when the funds pull through.

Mar 2, 2010

TehEl1te

Re: Difficult times for selling....

I know it is kind of unrelated but sometimes I get nervous as to how successful I can be in the video game art industry. I know it is relatively tough but the way things are going, I fear companies will start hiring independant artists (which means I gotta make an EPIC portfolio) haha. Hopefully down the road things will clear up

:skull El1te

Mar 2, 2010

PEEL1965

Re: Difficult times for selling....

I had the same problems even selling smaller items. Would have to take a fairly big hit to sell things. This is a pretty costly hobby....Guess it is a commentary on the economy....Luckily I have a pretty stable job and can feed my Fett habit.

Mar 2, 2010

TehEl1te

Re: Difficult times for selling....

Does anyone know of some "stable jobs" like PEEL1965 refered to as. I am sure being an artist, there will be times where there aren't many commissions or job openings, especially for a young starting artist. Are there job opportunites out there that won't need a high level of education (4 year degree) that would pay $30,000+ ?

:skull El1te

Mar 2, 2010

Mullreel

Re: Difficult times for selling....

fire departments and law enforcement are nice and stable with good benifits, over the 30k mark and most places don't require a degree ..........and kinda recession proof

Mar 2, 2010

TehEl1te

Re: Difficult times for selling....

I thought those 2 would definitely have some kind of schooling :)

:skull El1te

Mar 2, 2010

Mullreel

Re: Difficult times for selling....

you will get trained to death in either field however most don't require a degree to start................now there is academies to attend but you can hired first so you get paid while you go in some places.

I know of some agencies that require 4 year degrees but that is not the norm. Most just require a HS diploma. The problem is that the pay is ok but not high enough for most fresh college grads to sign up and if they require the degree the prospect pool gets a bit shallow. Where I work we have about a 95% rejection rate from applicants who take the test.

Mar 2, 2010

missing

Re: Difficult times for selling....

Hi TehEl1te, I highly, highly recommend having an online portfolio. Also, you might have a good chance of getting some work from the RPG gaming industry. There are a lot of companies, including Wizards of the Coast, Paizo Publishing, and even some of the start-ups are always looking for new artists.

Mar 2, 2010

TehEl1te

Re: Difficult times for selling....

Yes! I am currently working on making an online portfolio. I'll also have a full zombie game for free posted that has a lot of my artwork in it. But yes, you are right, an online portfolio would be one of my most important assets. I am working on finalizing some of my works but still have some to finish up. Are there sites that are free?

Also, sorry for completely derailing this thread >_< I didn't even realize it till the end of this... If you could just PM me.

Ontopic to this... I've noticed a little decline in the prop making busniess as well. I was strongly considering (thanks to dsonik) making accurate or atleast decently accurate boba/jango props for kids. Not sure what the market for that would be right now :(

:skull El1te

Mar 3, 2010

PEEL1965

Re: Difficult times for selling....

I am a police officer in Canada. Pretty recession proof. It would be a career change for you of course. All you need is a high school education but our recruiting bureau looks for some post secondary now.
Pay is not bad. But there is the risk to personal safety. We just lost one of our own yesterday in a car crash.....not for everybody....

Mar 10, 2010

TK9135

Re: Difficult times for selling....

Great time for buyin' though.

Save dough, buy low...

Mar 10, 2010

Huntman

Re: Difficult times for selling....

our department wont hire you unless you have already gone to POST for law enforcment. Simply put they do not want to pay for it. a lot of departments here are cutting the upfront out of their training budgets. They are hiring lateral officers only. the next state over is doing that as well.

i don't even touch the bay anymore. Seems like they only one making money IS the bay. I go straight to craigslist. or 501st forums and I do direct trade. I get what I want and get rid of the stuff taking up space. Got burnt once here though. a guy in minneapolis took a Taco99 belt and never logged back on or sent the scout boots I was promised.
So if you trade make sure they have a lot of posts and you have seen them deal with others. But I have gotten really good trades off the board! it's a way you don't have to mark your stuff down much and get close to even value.